May is Michigan Month! One of Michigan's greatest treasure is the Detroit Institute of Arts. To celebrate the DIA we are hosting a talk about their newest exhibit, Samurai: Beyond the Sword, which runs through Sunday, June 1. This is a rare opportunity to experience the world of the Japanese Samurai. Moving beyond the stereotype of the warrior, the exhibition explores the role of the military arts and the importance of Samurai engagement in the cultural, spiritual and art worlds of their time. Join us on Saturday, May 10 from 2:00-3:00 PM as we discuss the origins of the Samurai culture and the fascinating pieces in the DIA's exhibit.

Starfish Family Services will discuss common interactions with children and the importance of problem solving. Session #1 - Turning Conflicts into Learning - Develop strategies for using conflict situations to develop important social skills as well as using natural consequences for setting limits.Session #2 - Children Can Solve Their Own Problems - Exploring an important six-step process to help children resolve conflicts on their own. This special professional development and networking day is designed for childcare providers of Wayne County and will take place on Wednesday, May 21 from 9:30AM-2:00PM. Lunch will be provided, childcare will not. Space is limited and registration is required! To register please go to: www.greatstartconnect.org or contact Starfish Early Learning Communities program: starfishelc@sfish.org or (313)-937-2458

On Wednesday, May 28 from 6:30-8:30 PM, the highly trained staff from Starfish Family Services will present Learning Through Play: The Active Learning Way. Participants will identify the five ingredients to provide a quality active learning environment and also explore the many benefits of learning through play. Bring your children as free daycare is provided by Starfish's daycare professionals.

Michigan is the second-most agriculturally-diverse state in the country. From cherries and grapes to blueberries and pumpkins, peaches and apples to asparagus and celery, the Great Lakes State is often referred to as the “Mitten of Plenty.” Add to that a growing industry focused on locally-sourced products such as cheese, poultry, sauces, jams, breads, chocolates and SO much more, and you have a feast just waiting to be devoured. This program will not only introduce audiences to Michigan’s rich foodie and agricultural history, but will allow everyone to sample a few Michigan-made products as well! Tuesday July 8 2014 7:00 PM

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History will be presenting their Science for Tomorrow: STEM Career Workshops here at Canton Public Library. These programs are designed to introduce middle school students to STEM careers, show them who scientists really are and what they do, and provide them with practical tools for navigating high school, applying for college and achieving those careers. Through a series of four interactive workshops, students will get to meet the U-M faculty or alumni who work in the STEM related fields every day. They are also given tools to help them take charge of their educational future and given assistance in setting realistic goals to get them into STEM fields in college. The program begins with a U-M campus visit in Ann Arbor for each student and one caregiver. A bus will leave from Canton Public Library at 9 AM on Saturday, April 26. After a visit to a working science lab, campus tour, lunch with faculty and students and presentations by U-M admissions staff, the bus will return to the library around 3:00 PM.

The Canton Public Library is celebrating Star Wars Day. All ages are invited to stop by the Purple Room on Sunday, May 4between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to watch the cartoon series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and create a 3D papercraft of a Star Wars character. The cartoon will start at 1:00 PM, but feel free to come in anytime to make your craft. May the Fourth be with you!